Winter's Eve at Lincoln Square, New York's largest holiday celebration featuring free entertainment, family fun, kids' activities, food tastings at nominal cost and shopping throughout Lincoln Square, is just around the corner. The neighborhood will come alive from Time Warner Center to 68th Street as more than 20 live performances, 33 local eateries and many local businesses and cultural institutions throughout the district will all be a part of this terrific holiday tradition.

The revelry begins at 5:00pm as crowds gather for the lighting of the Upper West Side's Holiday Tree at Dante Park - Broadway & 63rd Street.

Suzanne Vega

Headlining the entertainment at the Tree Lighting will be world renowned singer/songwriter

performing at the Winter's Eve Dance Tent, presented by TD Bank, located at 62nd St between Broadway and Columbus Ave from 6:30 - 8:30pm.

The Texas based quintet will delight the Winter's Eve crowd with their own blend of world music that includes salsa, meringue, rock, cumbia, conjunto, polka, zydeco, classical, cha cha, the blues and more.

New York Cares Coat Drive

Warms Winter's Eve

Admission to Winter's Eve is free. As a result of Hurricane Sandy, the need for warm coats is even greater this year, so please help support the New York Cares Coat Drive by bringing your gently used or new coats to the following locations:

Dante Park at Broadway & 63rd Street

American Bible Society at 1865 Broadway & 61st Street

NYIT at 1855 Broadway & 61st Street

Time Warner Center, Concierge Desk

West Side YMCA at 5 West 63rd Street & Central Park West

YogaWorks at 37 West 65th St., 4th Fl, just east of Columbus

Family Fun!

Fun for Kids of all Ages

Winter's Eve is always a huge hit with kids. This year, there is even more fun to be had with the entire family.

The Dirty Sock Funtime Band will perform at Kids' Central located in the American Bible Society at 1865 Broadway and 61st Street. Space for their two sets at 6:00pm and 7:00pm will be first come, first served. Other great activities for kids will include:

- Face painting & tattoos presented by the West Side Y

- Good Deeds craft activity with New York Society for Ethical Culture

- Wintry session tables and a winter wreath project with Apple Seeds

- Special treats from Magnolia Bakery

- Time Out Kids photo booth and UrbanSitter

Time Warner Center is also a major venue for some terrific family activities, including performances by Big Apple Circus- Jack Frost, LaGuardia High School Show Choir and MOTOWN: The Musical. There will also be face painting by the Big Apple Circus and card-making presented by DOROT.

Okamoto Studio will be creating amazing ice sculptures both in front of Time Warner Center and outside of the American Folk Art Museum.

More Music at Winter's Eve

World, Swing, Alternative, Jazz, Percussion and more.

Over 20 live performances at venues across the district will ensure everyone out in Lincoln Square on Winter's Eve will get a chance to hear some tremendous music by established and emerging musicians.

Soulfarm

After the Tree Lighting, Soulfarm, will be taking over the Winter's Eve Main Stage at Dante Park and bringing their unique sound dubbed as New American music with a full melodic song and progressive modern arrangements.

Richard Tucker Park, Broadway and 66th Street, will be swinging with the sounds of The Hot Sardines and Cynthia Sayer &Sparks Fly at the stage presented by Century 21 Department Store.

íRetumba! a multi-ethnic, all-female Afro-Caribbean dance and percussion ensemble will be performing inside the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center at Broadway between 62nd & 63rd Streets. Their electrifying presentations radiate with energy and have been heard throughout the United States for almost 30 years.

Charlotte Sometimes

Alternative pop-folk singer/songwriter Charlotte Sometimes will be playing two sets at Century 21 Department Store at Broadway and 66th Street. Charlotte was named one of the "100 Bands You Need To Know" by Alternative Press Magazine and The New York Times has said "Her style earns her instant attention."

Emmet Cohen, joined by Evan Sherman and Russell Hall, presented by Jazz at Lincoln Center, will astonish audiences with his technique and an innovative harmonic palate on the 2nd Floor ofTime Warner Center.

Marcus Strickland

Marcus Strickland will be bringing his sax and his quartet to groove along with the crowds at the American Folk Art Museum at 125 Columbus Ave. between 65th and 66th Street.

Marching bands and street theater, including the Hungry March Band, Outer Borough Brass Band, and the Alice Farley Dance Theater, will be roaming the neighborhood all evening.

Winter's Eve Raffle

Enter to Win

Enter to win fantastic prizes prizes from local businesses and cultural organizations at the following locations to win:

Information Tent, Dante Park Broadway & 63rd Street

Time Warner Center, Concierge Desk

Holiday Cheer

Across Lincoln Square

Close to 100 local businesses and cultural organizations participate in Winter's Eve by opening their doors to the public and inviting them in for a wide swath of fun activities, special discounts and promotions, food, and holiday cheer of all kinds.

The Lincoln Square Business Improvement District is a 501(c)3 not for profit formed in 1996 to make Lincoln Square - New York's premier cosmopolitan neighborhood - cleaner, safer, more beautiful, and fun.